Yankees oust veteran pitcher, call up outfielder

Saturday September 3, 2022

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Veteran reliever Anthony Banda is out while the Yankees have included Ryan Weber on the team roster. This could be seen as a clear signal to players in an attempt to stem the tide of losses and arrest the slump.

Before Saturday’s game against the Rays, the Yankees designated the veteran reliever for assignment and called up an outfielder.

The team removed Banda from the 40-man roster after he got no outs, gave up two hits, walked three, and allowed three runs Friday. It was his second Yankees game. He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

Weber’s New York season has witnessed ups and downs. Three appearances, 7 2/3 innings, 1 earned run. In 15 Triple-A appearances, Weber has a 3.86 ERA.

Meanwhile, the Yankees got another injury shock. Andrew Benintendi moved to the injury list after a fracture in his wrist. Benintendi needs surgery and could miss the season. The All-Star outfielder was signed from the Royals in lieu of two prospects.

The Yankees have included Estevan Florial as a replacement for Benintendi.

Before Saturday’s 2-1 defeat, the Yankees have six shutouts in their last 25 games. They have a total of 12 shutouts. Yankees batters lead the MLB in HR (205), walks (504), and tied for third in runs scored (652). They rank five in OBP (.323) and SLG (.424). With 4.94 runs every game, their average is the third best. These records stand though the team has scored 3R-or-less in six of their last seven games (.746).

Since August 21, New York pitchers have given 2ER or less in nine of their last 11 games clinching an ERA of 2.77. Eight of these games end with 6.0IP. Since August 8, they have allowed 3R-or-fewer in 19 of 23 starts, posting a 3.40 ERA (137.2IP, 52ER). Seventeen of their 23 starts have at least 6.0IP. The Yankees are MLB leaders with BB/9.0IP (2.05). New York is in the second position in K/BB (4.32), third in opponents’ BA (.226), fifth in ERA (3.51), and sixth in strikeouts (721).

Why did the Yankees meltdown in August despite such records? Who is responsible for their slump?